Chicken-like bird threatens western state economies, as feds weigh new rules

A small, chicken-like bird is threatening economies across the American West as the feds weigh new regulations to protect it.

Meet the sage grouse. The animal stands at the center of the latest battle pitting America’s domestic energy industry against conservationists trying to protect a little-known species from harm. Like past clashes over the spotted owl or a desert-dwelling pronghorn, the results could be costly.

The federal government already listed one variety of the bird, the Gunnison sage grouse, as threatened under the Endangered Species Act earlier this month, prompting Colorado to prepare a lawsuit over the decision.

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